Luke Skywalker - TVC - Basic (VC344)

Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance on a journey that will change the galaxy.

We’re not going to praise Hasbro or pat them on the back for finally releasing the “definitive” version of the 12-Back Luke Skywalker Kenner miniature action figure. No, that would be enabling bad behavior. As a sick form of torture, they forced us to wait 15 years for it. From the inception of The Vintage Collection to its temporary retirement, to its resurrection, to finally having this beautiful action figure in our hands, it’s been a long journey. Luke Skywalker isn’t perfect, but we don’t care. It’s about as good as it’s going to get, and Hasbro didn’t deviate all that much from the approach they took with The Black Series 6-inch version of this character. So that means there is no ill-fitted or wonky soft-goods clothing here. The likeness is decent at some angles, garish at others. But this looks like Mark Hamill in many ways, and perhaps that’s what we should all focus on here. The figure lacks critical paint operations like dirt throughout the boots. And the costume is generally a little too clean for our tastes. But while the figure has its share of setbacks, there is much to be thankful for here.

From the commlink accessory that attaches to the belt to the hilt and lightsaber accessories that you can use for display, both attach to the figure, or you can have the figure hold them in its hands. Luke Skywalker also comes with a stunning articulation system. The ball-socket hips do wonders for posing the figure in various ways, but the movement is meaningful. You can display the figure’s arms close to its body or behind its back. And the molded clothing doesn’t inhibit any of this movement whatsoever. That wasn’t the case for action figures only a decade ago. Often, bulky molded clothing made posing the action figures nearly pointless. But Luke Skywalker proves what Hasbro can do in a 3.75-inch super-articulated scale. Hasbro decided to include a commlink, hilt, and lightsaber for accessories. Luke has a little trouble holding them because the shirt’s cuff buries the figure’s hands too deeply into the bevel of the shirt, but overall, you’ll be pleased. The Photo Real paint operations are mostly excellent here, but there is too much glistening or sparkling effect on the face, which gives the appearance that the figure is wearing makeup. Is this Luke Skywalker ready for The Star Wars Holiday Special next or something?

Of course, fans of The Vintage Collection are joyous about its packaging. All of us should be happy with the figures for the packaging. For the first time, Hasbro faithfully recreated the card and its critical components like the font, character photo cropping and coloring, and card stock thickness to make everyone thrilled that they released this figure. We are rounding the corner to finish the original Kenner dozen. See-Threepio (C-3PO) and a proper Death Squad Commander seem unlikely, but the number of characters we need is narrowing, much to our satisfaction. Again, we would love to have said we did cartwheels with this figure’s release, but we are waiting for these crucial characters in The Vintage Collection. There is way too much focus on the Disney Star Wars garbage, and we need Hasbro to focus on the O96, especially Star Wars action figures yet to be produced for The Vintage Collection. Luke Skywalker is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air in the lineup, and we’re thrilled to have it 15 years later. But the anticipation has turned into indifference. Hasbro burned too many bridges with Star Wars collectors, but we’ll take Luke as a token apology for how poorly they’ve treated us.